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World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide
The great myths of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human birth, death, conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange and distant. World Mythology offers readers an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to these enduring mythological traditions, combining the pure narrative of the myths themselves with the background necessary for more complete understanding.
Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations.
Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination.
Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations.
Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 28, 2020
Not very entertainingly written, but a good overview and introduction!
December 31, 2014
This bad boy is chock full of information, and I think it would have been better if I had taken more time to read it, but alas, my OCD would not let me end the year with an unfinished book. It would be great as a reference tool, and one I would thoroughly enjoy as a companion in a class on the same topic.
As comprehensive as this book was, it left some of my most basic questions unanswered (i.e. why do Hindu deities have so many arms?). Good thing I have access to Google. There were some pronunciation guides but more would have been beneficial. The illustrations and photographs were beautiful and very helpful.
As for the content...holy moly we live in a messed up world. It was fascinating to see the many similarities of various myths throughout the world - such as flood stories - but rape, incest, mutilation, murder, and the exclusion of women were by far the most common. No disrespect to any of these belief systems, of course, but there was some feeling of relief that I don't ascribe to any of them (I'm sure many could say the same thing about my beliefs, and that's fine). I am glad that I was able to learn more about them, though, and would love to travel to many of the sacred sites described.
As comprehensive as this book was, it left some of my most basic questions unanswered (i.e. why do Hindu deities have so many arms?). Good thing I have access to Google. There were some pronunciation guides but more would have been beneficial. The illustrations and photographs were beautiful and very helpful.
As for the content...holy moly we live in a messed up world. It was fascinating to see the many similarities of various myths throughout the world - such as flood stories - but rape, incest, mutilation, murder, and the exclusion of women were by far the most common. No disrespect to any of these belief systems, of course, but there was some feeling of relief that I don't ascribe to any of them (I'm sure many could say the same thing about my beliefs, and that's fine). I am glad that I was able to learn more about them, though, and would love to travel to many of the sacred sites described.
September 2, 2023
El libro da inicio con una introducción donde se plantea qué se entiende por mito y leyenda y sus diferencias. Luego hace una descripción de temas comunes tratados en la mitología como la creación, los héroes, el fin del mundo, animales, etc. y finalmente se dedica a presentar los elementos característicos de las diversas mitologías del mundo como la egipcia, india, china, griega, romana, nórdica, africana y de Mesoamérica, entre otras regiones. (este tercer apartado es el mayor del libro).
Al inicio de cada zona presenta, a manera de resumen, información general de los aspectos que la componen y un mapa del lugar con los elementos relevantes asociados a cada una. (montañas sagradas, templos, ciudades, etc). Posteriormente ahonda en diferentes aspectos propios de la mitología del lugar que vienen acompañados con ilustraciones de estatuas, pinturas, grabados, etc alusivos a lo que se narra en el capítulo.
Me gustó mucho y me parece un buen texto para adentrarse al mundo de la mitología.
Al inicio de cada zona presenta, a manera de resumen, información general de los aspectos que la componen y un mapa del lugar con los elementos relevantes asociados a cada una. (montañas sagradas, templos, ciudades, etc). Posteriormente ahonda en diferentes aspectos propios de la mitología del lugar que vienen acompañados con ilustraciones de estatuas, pinturas, grabados, etc alusivos a lo que se narra en el capítulo.
Me gustó mucho y me parece un buen texto para adentrarse al mundo de la mitología.
December 5, 2018
Informative, but ultimately leaves out too much information to be of considerable merit.
December 30, 2018
Ideal para quien le apasione la mitología y quiera echar un primer vistazo general a todas ellas. La parte inicial de mitología comparada es muy interesante.
March 10, 2022
Solid beginner’s guide to ancient mythologies around the world
July 4, 2024
enlightening
July 12, 2012
No hay mucho que decir, este es un libro sirve más de referencia que como material de lectura. Es decir, funciona como una pequeña enciclopedia de la mitología mundial. Para todo aficionado el libro nos permite saber incluso de culturas que pocas veces se tocan en los documentales o clases sobre estos temas. Lo recomiendo para quién esté interesado en la mitología en general y para quien le entretenga leer mitos y conocer los dioses de diferentes culturas, muchas veces más cercanos a nosotros de lo que queremos creer, como un reflejo de nosotros y nuestra evolución histórica.
Un libro que me gustó.
Un libro que me gustó.
August 14, 2016
Having always been fascinated with Greek/Roman mythology I found this book to be the next logical step in my curiosity to understand all aspects of humanity’s spiritual quests. Willis takes the reader through a world tour of the most ancient of peoples and their curiously-similar spiritual traditions. Although the book can certainly get tiresome sometimes, it is nonetheless a great read for anyone interested in why we have always worshiped something or another.
March 16, 2013
Very entertaining read. I picked this book up in the hopes to prove my personal theory about similarities between certain cultures, and my questions were definitely answered. Further reading on my part is required, but there is an extensive further reading list given at the end of this book that can help with that. I'd say this is a good read for both the mythology novice and those who are well-versed and are curious.
August 9, 2012
I read this book for a college class and learned a lot about mythology from different cultures. I liked how it gave a brief overview of each culture so that I could get the main idea without getting overwhelmed by details. Now I have a basic understanding of each culture's mythology and can look in to the cultures I am more interested in.
December 30, 2012
Excellent overview and intorudction to world mythology - with lots of line drawings sketches and photos.
Introductory sections on great themes of mythology (e.g. creation, cosmic artchitecture, heroes, tricksters etc).
Bulk of book divided into areas of the world e.g. Egypt, India, Greece, Japan and has an overview of the key dieties for each region.
Introductory sections on great themes of mythology (e.g. creation, cosmic artchitecture, heroes, tricksters etc).
Bulk of book divided into areas of the world e.g. Egypt, India, Greece, Japan and has an overview of the key dieties for each region.
February 9, 2015
Some of the "myths" are religious deities and are horribly inaccurate. Very offensive to current religious practises/ religions. Probably needs more research. It does however, serve it's title- World Mythology. It's a compilations of myths from around the world. But do some research if you ever want to strike up a conversation based on what you read in this book.
May 8, 2013
A great introduction to world mythology. I particularly enjoyed the section discussing themes that appear in multiple culture's myths, pronunciation guides (especially for Chinese and Celtic words), and the geographic coverage (everything from Egypt, to Tibet and Mongolia,
to the Arctic regions).
to the Arctic regions).
November 30, 2011
It was very thorough and amazing. The art and pictures were sogood and the themes were all there in great detail. I loved how everything was explained without making you feel stupid. I aced this class with an A+!
October 9, 2014
Comprehensive collection of the myths throughout history from all over the world.
The themes are grouped together, and cross-references are provided to make it easy to look up similar myths from other regions.
The photographs, maps, and illustrations accompanying the text are superb.
The themes are grouped together, and cross-references are provided to make it easy to look up similar myths from other regions.
The photographs, maps, and illustrations accompanying the text are superb.
March 1, 2012
This one is ful of great information.
September 2, 2013
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2014
Good introductory volume. Richly illustrated. Great read.
March 26, 2015
Estructurada según las grandes civilizaciones del mundo, pretende ser, simplemente, una introducción al mundo de la mitología. Interesante.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews